New players union chief will discuss tightening schedule

NEW YORK — New baseball players' union head Michael Weiner may speak with management officials during spring training to discuss possible changes to the postseason schedule.

Following criticism by Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia and others last fall, baseball commissioner Bud Selig said he would like to tighten the schedule. Four extra days off were added in 2007 at the request of baseball's television broadcasters.

"I expect that we'll have discussions at some point during the month on that," Weiner said Friday after meeting with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies, the start of his first spring training tour since replacing Donald Fehr in December.

Weiner said there was a small amount of discussion about baseball's drug policy. A rugby player was suspended for two years Monday after the United Kingdom Anti-Doping authority said he tested positive for using human growth hormone.

Weiner said the players' association and management must consult with their science advisers to determine whether the testing community accepts the validity of the HGH blood test that was used.

"I think we're probably still at that stage," he said.

Weiner also spoke with players about collective bargaining, player representative elections scheduled for June and the need to form a negotiating committee. Baseball's labor contract, along with its drug agreement, is due to expire in December 2011.

"It's time to talk about preparation for bargaining in terms of players setting priorities and thinking through what's important to them," he said.

Cubs' Lilly returns

but start is unknown

MESA, Ariz. — After yet another setback in what has been a rough offseason, Ted Lilly goes into the final year of his contract not knowing when he'll be ready to pitch for the Chicago Cubs.

Already recovering from shoulder surgery and a knee injury, Lilly missed most of this week with a 103-degree fever and flulike symptoms.

"I haven't been on my feet much at all in the last five days," the left-hander said Friday, when he returned to camp and did some light throwing. "I was in bed for 18 hours a day."

Manager Lou Piniella and GM Jim Hendry had been saying Lilly would miss the season's first few weeks. Lilly had hoped to prove them wrong, insisting he could be ready by opening day, but he now realizes that's unlikely.

"I don't want to start the season on the disabled list," Lilly said. "I don't feel good about that. I don't like being on that list or associated with it in any way, shape or form."

Belliard must lose 2 lbs

or no Dodgers contract

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The most expensive two pounds in baseball reside in the general vicinity of Ronnie Belliard's waistline.

A leading candidate to start at second base on opening day for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Belliard must adhere to a weight clause if he wants to activate his $825,000 one-year deal. So far it remains a work in progress.

The Dodgers want Belliard to be at 209 pounds at some point this spring before the contract can become official. That was the weight Belliard was playing at when the Dodgers acquired him late last season from the Washington Nationals.

Belliard reported to spring training this week and said he's close to the goal weight but could be as heavy as 211 pounds.

"I have never come into spring training at (209)," he said. "I think I feel good and I look good, so we'll see what happens."

Two-handed catch

earns broken finger

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Chris Burke jokingly blames his father for his broken finger.

The Cincinnati Reds' utility player broke a knuckle on his right ring finger during a drill Thursday.

Burke kidded that if his dad hadn't taught him the proper way to catch a pop-up, he wouldn't be sidelined now.

"I told my dad, thanks a lot for teaching me to catch it two-handed. If I'd hot-dogged it, I'd never have broken my finger," Burke said Friday.

The Associated Press